Need advice on CRK.

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rogerschrisj

Joined
Apr 8, 2010
Messages
294
Hey guys. I am new to CRK and would like to ask for some advice from you guys who know a bit more than me. I have decided to get a few CRK. It seems that all of the authorized dealers I find have their knives priced above what the CRK website has listed. Is this normal, and if so, why? I have found some very good deals here on the exchange. I always pass them up however out of fear that CRK will not warranty them since I didn't purchase them from an authorized dealer. Is this the case? Also, is there anything I should look for or stay away from while trying to acquire these knives?
Thanks
 
if you're looking at Sebenzas, you might be looking at decorated ones, or ones with dual thumb lugs. CRK usually makes sure that their dealers price their knives exactly at MSRP.
 
It could also depend on your location. If you are overseas it might be a different story. If you are within the states, almost all dealers have the same pricing.
 
As far as I know, if the registration card that comes with the knife is blank then the warranty will be fine for that knife. Chris reeve will take any of his knives back to have the spa treatment done to them, I wouldnt worry about that.

Nothing really to stay away from with CRKs, many of the inlay models and graphic models are all personal choices as to what you like. You cant really go wrong with anything from him. Hope that helps.
 
CRK is a great company to deal with and they make some of the finest knives ever made. The warrenty follows the knife, so no worries there. You do not need BD card or box for any warrenty issues. The only time there would be an issue with the warrenty is if the knife was abused or pimped that would effect its function. In that case, they just charge you for the parts needed, etc. As for as normal use ( things you use a knife for ), you have no worries at all. In fact, its rare that you will even need any warrenty work at all, their knives are that good. So you can trade or buy a CRK secondhand and should you need warrenty work, it will be covered.

As far as pricing goes, CRK sets a standard price for their knives. The only ones I have seen fluctuate in price a little is the unique graphic or the wood inlays. Some graphics take more time to machine and some woods are more expensive than others. I have noticed that the OPR knives have had their prices raised. Maybe CRK allows this because they are discontinued. But prices are pretty consistant across the board.

Nothing to stay away from pertaining to CRK, ALL their knives are great. Just a matter of personal preference which you like and why.

So go get some with No Worries..........Make sure you post pics when you get them !!!
 
If you are overseas, one aspect raises prices. Customs duty and tax. an excaple in South Africa when importing a knife of this caliber.

In response to your query kindly be advised that the rate of duty on goods classifiable under tariff heading 8211.9.30 is currently 20%, VAT is payable at the standard rate of 14%.

The duty and VAT is calculated on the Customs Value (CV) of the imported item, this value excludes freight and insurance charges and other non dutiable charges. The value of the item in foreign currency must be converted to the Rand value by applying the appropriate rate of exchange which is the selling rate at the date of shipment of the item as determined by the Commissioner for Customs and Excise in consultation with the South African Reserve Bank.

As an example using the value of R3 200 as the Customs Value; the duty and VAT will be calculated as follows:



Duty = CV x Rate of Duty = R3 200 x 20% = R640.00

VAT = ATV x 14%

Where ATV = CV + 10% of CV + Duty = (R3200 + R320 + R640) = R4 160



Therefore VAT = R4 160 x 14% = R582.40


Total payable = Duty + VAT = R1 222.40

That on top of the MSRP of Chris Reeve. They get really expensive, but they are worth it. If there is any problems the dealer can sort it out on your behalf. That is the advantage of going through an authorized dealer. I dont have to worry about customs. Just the stress that is avoided for me regarding customs is worth the extra price!

Pick one up and use it. The knives are great and will last you a life time.
 
Thanks guys. Just to clarify, I am not overseas. I live in the south eastern part of North Carolina. The "authorized" dealers I am speaking of are not the ones on the internet. These are some what local dealers. When I am buying any knife over $200 I like to wrap my hands around it first. I'm also very picky about things like even finishes on the handle and blade. Blade centering, where the lockbar engages the tang and even grind lines are also important to me. So, If I can handle the knife and all there things are great I don't mind paying a few extra bucks. Just for the simple fact that I have it right there and I know exactly what I'm getting. But these dealers are just crazy. I had one try to sell me a plain Jane small Sebenza 21 for $380.00! That's 5 bucks less than I can get a large 21from the CRK website.
 
I've sent in a couple knives to CRK for warranty service and they never asked for any receipt or proof of purchase.
 
So buy direct from CRK then. Fit and finish between different CRK's is very similar.
 
rogerschrisj said:
Thanks guys. Just to clarify, I am not overseas. I live in the south eastern part of North Carolina. The "authorized" dealers I am speaking of are not the ones on the internet. These are some what local dealers. When I am buying any knife over $200 I like to wrap my hands around it first. I'm also very picky about things like even finishes on the handle and blade. Blade centering, where the lockbar engages the tang and even grind lines are also important to me. So, If I can handle the knife and all there things are great I don't mind paying a few extra bucks. Just for the simple fact that I have it right there and I know exactly what I'm getting. But these dealers are just crazy. I had one try to sell me a plain Jane small Sebenza 21 for $380.00! That's 5 bucks less than I can get a large 21from the CRK website.
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Welcome to the CRK community!

In my experience, there is nothing that stops a dealer from pricing CRK products above retail, apart from the upper figures that the market will bear.

Given the values that I'm gathering from you, I would suggest that you find a dealer that can earn your trust, talk to that dealer directly on the phone as he/she is holding the knife in question, and let the dealer be your eyes/hands. There are several dealers I'd recommend with a great eye for detail (many of them are discerning collectors in their own right), and do not charge above the stated CRK retail price: Neil at True North Knives, Dan at Plaza Cutlery, Helen at Northwest Blades, and Heather at CRK are but a few I'd recommend.
 
Fooj said:
Welcome to the CRK community!

In my experience, there is nothing that stops a dealer from pricing CRK products above retail, apart from the upper figures that the market will bear.

Given the values that I'm gathering from you, I would suggest that you find a dealer that can earn your trust, talk to that dealer directly on the phone as he/she is holding the knife in question, and let the dealer be your eyes/hands. There are several dealers I'd recommend with a great eye for detail (many of them are discerning collectors in their own right), and do not charge above the stated CRK retail price: Neil at True North Knives, Dan at Plaza Cutlery, Helen at Northwest Blades, and Heather at CRK are but a few I'd recommend.
Click to expand...

I have bought knives from all that you mentioned as well as Only Fine Knives, Moore Cutlery, New Graham and ALL Were First Rate and I was very pleased with what I got. They all offer eveything you would want and expect from a Great Company. All of these companies are the Premium CRK Dealers in my mind and would never hesitate to do business with them any day of the week. Heather from CRK is Simply The Best. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
rogerschrisj said:
Thanks guys. Just to clarify, I am not overseas. I live in the south eastern part of North Carolina. The "authorized" dealers I am speaking of are not the ones on the internet. These are some what local dealers. When I am buying any knife over $200 I like to wrap my hands around it first. I'm also very picky about things like even finishes on the handle and blade. Blade centering, where the lockbar engages the tang and even grind lines are also important to me. So, If I can handle the knife and all there things are great I don't mind paying a few extra bucks. Just for the simple fact that I have it right there and I know exactly what I'm getting. But these dealers are just crazy. I had one try to sell me a plain Jane small Sebenza 21 for $380.00! That's 5 bucks less than I can get a large 21from the CRK website.
Click to expand...

That's not right. In the US, CRK dealers cannot sell above or below the price that CRK authorizes, which is the same they sell for direct. I would not recommend buying from that dealer unless you can get him to sell it at the proper price. Maybe report him to CRK?

Knowing you're picky about blade centering, lock bar engagement, etc, I would say you have nothing to worry about with CRK. Their quality control is second to none. Read the new sticky from Chris himself also, gives some good insight.

Otherwise have no fear, they knives are worth the money.
 
if your in NC like I am the go to man for any Chris Reeve or Randall Made Knives is Ronnie Beck of Becks Cutlery in Benson NC, http://www.beckscutleryonline.com/ Please give him a call if you wish, and he can help you out. He has been friends with the Reeves for a long time, importing their knives from SA along with Peter Bauchop and Angus Arbuckle back before they were all well known.
 
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